A scholarship honoring the memory of Melinda Martin McClung has been established at Northwestern State University by McClung’s co-workers in the university’s Registrar’s Office. McClung was a Northwestern State alumna and worked in the Registrar’s Office for over 22 years. She was killed in a traffic accident on March 24.

“Among her many jobs, Melinda evaluated all transcripts that came in from other colleges and also helped determine eligibility of college athletes,” said Registrar Lillie Frazier Bell. “She helped many students qualify for graduation through her knowledge and expertise in knowledge and evaluation of transfer credits. She was a dedicated and conscientious employee and a loving mother of her two sons, Joseph and Michael.”

The Melinda Martin McClung Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student transferring into Northwestern State with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better.

McClung’s husband, Phillip McClung, is a popular and respected teacher at NSU Middle Lab School. Their son Joseph plans to attend Northwestern State this fall.

McClung’s colleagues initiated the scholarship in recognition of their friend’s dedication to her family, her coworkers and the Northwestern State students she helped. McClung was instrumental in developing administrative policies and procedures on transfer credit, serving as the university liaison with other institutions and working tirelessly with members of the Louisiana Board of Regents in the development of transfer credit matrix systems.

“Melinda was a long-time, devoted member of the university family and my dear friend,” said Barbara Prescott, assistant to the registrar. “The expertise she developed in her years of service made her the ultimate transfer credit ‘go to’ person. She will be greatly missed by all.

“Melinda always tried to put the student first,” said Yvette Williams, associate registrar for records. “She was compassionate towards the students and understood their needs when transferring to NSU. She was always honest and helpful.”

“The thing I loved about Melinda was her ability to tell the most interesting stories about even everyday events. I could listen to her talk all day. She had a great sense of humor, and we will really miss her,” said Maye Foster, administrative coordinator.

“Melinda was a dear coworker who made significant contributions to the Natchitoches community and to Louisiana higher education,” said Daphne Delphin, university records analyst. “Melinda truly cared about other people, and she gave generously of her time and knowledge to her Northwestern State University family - students, faculty and staff. The time our friend and colleague shared with all of us will be forever treasured.”

“Melinda always greeted you with a smile. She had a passion for her job and helping students in their transition into our school,” said Charlotte Grayson, university records analyst. “She loved her family and was so proud of her two sons. She and I would talk of our families with us both having only two boys each. She would tell stories of her and her husband taking their family on vacations and the new places that they would find in Louisiana and the different types of food they had experienced. Melinda will always be in my heart.”

“Melinda was a dedicated worker, a loving, caring and dependable person, who always put her family first,” said Rhonda Wood, administrative coordinator. “Phillip and the boys were her life. Her family was one of those that still did things together like go on vacations. They would read a book that the whole family was interested in out loud so they could all enjoy it together. That’s something you don’t hear families doing anymore. She had such a bubbly laugh that I will miss. During our lunch break we discussed different recipes to try and talked about the 50s, 60s and 70s music.”

“When I first came to interview for the other position as transcript evaluator, Melinda was one of the persons that interviewed me,” said Brenda Fowler Milner, director of registration and graduation. “It turned out to be more than an interview. She knew I was nervous, but she made me feel so welcome and I soon discovered that I knew her mother-in-law. She is the person that trained me in my first job with Northwestern, which has continually helped me in my present position in the Registrar’s office. She will be truly missed.”

“This memorial scholarship has been established to honor Melinda’s contributions to this institution and to continue her love for transfer students,” Prescott said.

Contributions to the scholarship can be made payable to the NSU Foundation and mailed to 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, La., 71497. A notation should be made that the donation is for the Melinda Martin McClung Scholarship.

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